US Vice President Joe Biden has said that his administration is fully committed to the Palestinian people and to achieving a Palestinian state which is viable and contiguous.<br/><br/><br/>After the talks with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah in West Bank last evening the US vice president once again strongly condemned Israel's approval to the construction of 1,600 settler homes in East Jerusalem. Palestinian president Abbas also condemned the Israeli move.<br/><br/>According to Palestinian news agency WAFA, a series of meetings were aimed at moving the peace process.<br/><br/>The Israeli Interior Ministry had announced that the new units would be built in the Ramat Schlomo area of East Jerusalem.<br/><br/>Palestinians are opposing the move because the proposed settlements would be located in an area where they hope to make their capital. Israel's decision to expand settlements in east Jerusalem also drew criticism from the UN chief, from the European Union, from the Arab League.<br/>